U.S. patent application number 14/949464 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-24 for location area management method and device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ying Huang, Weisheng Jin, Bin Tan.
Application Number | 20160088462 14/949464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51932725 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160088462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jin; Weisheng ; et
al. |
March 24, 2016 |
Location Area Management Method and Device
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a location area
management method and a device, where the location area management
method includes: receiving, by a single radio controller, a first
request message, where the first request message is used by user
equipment UE to request a location update; generating, by the
single radio controller, a paging area list of the UE according to
the first request message, where the paging area list includes a
location area identity of a location area of at least one network
standard; and adding, by the single radio controller, the paging
area list of the UE to a first response message, and sending the
first response message to the UE. According to the location area
management method and the device provided in the embodiments of the
present invention, location areas of different network standards
are managed together, and a location area management effect is
improved.
Inventors: |
Jin; Weisheng; (Shanghai,
CN) ; Tan; Bin; (Lima, PE) ; Huang; Ying;
(Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
51932725 |
Appl. No.: |
14/949464 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/CN2013/076167 |
May 23, 2013 |
|
|
|
14949464 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 8/065 20130101;
H04W 36/0061 20130101; H04W 8/085 20130101; H04W 68/00 20130101;
H04W 60/04 20130101; H04W 64/00 20130101; H04W 8/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 8/08 20060101
H04W008/08; H04W 36/00 20060101 H04W036/00 |
Claims
1. A single radio controller, comprising: a receiver, configured to
receive a first request message, wherein the first request message
is used to request the single radio controller to perform a
location update on a user equipment (UE); a processor coupled to
the receiver and configured to generate a paging area list of the
UE according to the first request message received by the receiver,
wherein the paging area list comprises a location area identity of
a location area of a network standard; and a transmitter coupled to
the processor and configured to add the paging area list of the UE
generated by the processor to a first response message, and send
the first response message to the UE.
2. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein the
location area identity of the location area of the network standard
comprises one or more of a tracking area identity (TAI), a routing
area identity (RAI), and a cell identity.
3. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
first request message carries a subscriber identity of the UE; the
processor is further configured to: determine, according to the
subscriber identity of the UE, whether a location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is stored; and in response to
determining that the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE is stored, generate the paging area list of the UE.
4. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
first request message carries a subscriber identity of the UE; the
processor is further configured to: determine, according to the
subscriber identity of the UE, whether a location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is stored; send, in response to
determining that the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE is not stored, a notification message to instruct the
transmitter to send a second request message to a first core
network controller, wherein the second request message carries a
single radio controller identity used to indicate the single radio
controller and the subscriber identity of the UE; the transmitter
is further configured to receive the notification message sent by
the processor, and send the second request message to the first
core network controller; and the receiver is further configured to,
after the transmitter sends the second request message, receive a
second response message sent by the first core network controller,
establish the location area hierarchical management context of the
UE, and generate the paging area list of the UE.
5. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
first request message further carries hierarchical location update
indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information indicates that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE; and the
processor is further configured to determine, according to the
hierarchical location update indication information, whether the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, and in response to determining that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, generate the paging area list of the UE according
to the first request message.
6. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
first request message further carries a first non-access stratum
(NAS) message, the first NAS message carries hierarchical location
update indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information indicates that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing the location update on the UE; the
transmitter is further configured to send the first NAS message to
a second core network controller, so that the second core network
controller registers the UE according to the first NAS message; the
receiver is further configured to receive a location area
hierarchical management indication message sent by the second core
network controller, wherein the location area hierarchical
management indication message is sent after the second core network
controller registers the UE according to the first NAS message and
determines, according to the hierarchical location update
indication information, that the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing the location update on the UE; and the
processor is further configured to establish a location area
hierarchical management context of the UE and generate the paging
area list of the UE.
7. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to: acquire a location area in
which the UE is currently located; and generate the paging area
list of the UE according to the location area in which the UE is
currently located and a preset topology mapping table and/or a
preset network policy.
8. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
first request message carries first location area information
indicating a location area previously accessed by the UE; the
processor is further configured to: acquire a location area in
which the UE is currently located; determine a movement track of
the UE according to the location area in which the UE is currently
located and the first location area information; and generate the
paging area list of the UE according to the movement track of the
UE; wherein the paging area list of the UE comprises a location
area identity of the location area in which the UE is currently
located.
9. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
first response message further carries duration information of a
location update timer; and the processor is further configured to
start the location update timer, and, in response to a message sent
by the UE being not received by the receiver when the location
update timer expires, delete a location area hierarchical
management context of the UE, wherein duration of the location
update timer is duration indicated by the duration information of
the location update timer.
10. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to, in response to a UE context
release request message being received by using the receiver,
delete a location area hierarchical management context of the
UE.
11. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein the
processor is further configured to, in response to a resource
release request message of the UE being received by using the
receiver, delete a location area hierarchical management context of
the UE.
12. The single radio controller according to claim 1, wherein: the
receiver is further configured to receive a first paging message
sent by a third core network controller, wherein the first paging
message carries a subscriber identity of the UE; the processor is
further configured to determine the paging area list of the UE
according to the subscriber identity of the UE; and the transmitter
is further configured to send a second paging message to a location
area recorded in the paging area list of the UE, wherein the second
paging message carries the subscriber identity of the UE.
13. A user equipment, comprising: a transmitter, configured to send
a first request message to a single radio controller to request the
single radio controller to perform a location update on the user
equipment (UE); and a receiver, configured to receive a paging area
list of the UE sent by the single radio controller, the paging area
list of the UE generated by the single radio controller according
to the first request message, the paging area list comprising a
location area identity of a location area of a network
standard.
14. The user equipment according to claim 13, wherein the
transmitter is further configured to: send a third request message
to an access network device so that the access network device sends
the first request message to the single radio controller according
to the third request message, wherein the third request message
requests the single radio controller to perform the location update
on the UE; wherein the first request message and the third request
message carry hierarchical location update indication information,
and the hierarchical location update indication information is used
to indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE.
15. The user equipment according to claim 13, wherein: the
transmitter is further configured to send a first non-access
stratum (NAS) message to an access network device so that the
access network device adds the first NAS message to the first
request message, and sends the first request message to the single
radio controller; and the first NAS message carries hierarchical
location update indication information, and the hierarchical
location update indication information is used to indicate that the
UE supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE.
16. The user equipment according to claim 13, wherein: the first
request message comprises a first non-access stratum (NAS) message;
and the first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information is used to indicate that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing the location update on the
UE.
17. A core network controller, comprising: a receiver, configured
to receive a second request message sent by a single radio
controller, wherein the second request message carries a single
radio controller identity used to indicate the single radio
controller and a subscriber identity of a user equipment (UE); a
processor, configured to register the UE according to the single
radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE
that are received by the receiver; and a transmitter, configured to
send a second response message to the single radio controller after
the processor completes registration of the UE.
18. The core network controller according to claim 17, wherein: the
transmitter is further configured to send a first paging message
carrying the subscriber identity of the UE to the single radio
controller.
19. The core network controller according to claim 17, wherein the
second request message comprises a first non-access stratum (NAS)
message, the first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information is used to indicate that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the UE;
and the transmitter is configured to, in response to determining,
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, send the second response
message to the single radio controller for the single radio
controller establishing a location area hierarchical management
context of the UE, and generating a paging area list of the UE.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/CN2013/076167, filed on May 23, 2013, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments relate to communications technologies, and in
particular, to a location area management method and a device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] With development of communications technologies, the Third
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) performs research and
standardization work on a Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology,
expecting to obtain a higher speed, a higher capacity, and better
user performance. At a preliminary stage of LTE deployment, an LTE
network is deployed only in a hotspot area, but full coverage is
performed by a 2G/3G network. In an area where multiple types of
wireless networks overlap or are adjacent, when a UE (user
equipment) moves back and forth between an LTE network and a 2G/3G
network, inter-system cell reselection needs to be performed for
the UE. Each time of the inter-system cell reselection leads to a
location update process of the UE, so as to update location
information that is of the UE and that is registered on a core
network, which causes a large increase in signaling load on a
network and an air interface.
[0004] To resolve the foregoing problem, the 3GPP introduces an
idle state signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism. After the ISR
mechanism is activated, when a UE moves in a coverage area in which
the UE is registered, even moves across a standard, no location
update needs to be performed. Although by using the ISR mechanism,
a location update can be prevented from frequently occurring,
location area management of different network standards is
implemented by different core network nodes. In essence, location
area management of various network standards is independently
performed, and cannot be performed in an effectively collaborative
manner, which causes a complex mobility management procedure, and
is not helpful in optimization and evolution of a network
architecture.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments provide a location area management method and a
device, so as to manage location areas of different network
standards together, and improve a location area management
effect.
[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment provides a
location area management method, including: receiving, by a single
radio controller, a first request message, where the first request
message is used by a UE to request a location update; generating,
by the single radio controller, a paging area list of the UE
according to the first request message, where the paging area list
includes a location area identity of a location area of at least
one network standard; and adding, by the single radio controller,
the paging area list of the UE to a first response message, and
sending the first response message to the UE.
[0007] With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner, the location area identity of a location
area of at least one network standard includes one or more of a
tracking area identity (TAI), a routing area identity (RAI), and a
cell identity.
[0008] With reference to the first possible implementation manner
of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner,
the first request message carries a subscriber identity of the UE;
and the generating, by the single radio controller, a paging area
list of the UE according to the first request message includes:
determining, by the single radio controller according to the
subscriber identity of the UE, whether a location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is stored; and if it is determined
that the location area hierarchical management context of the UE is
not stored, sending a second request message to a first core
network controller, where the second request message carries a
single radio controller identity used to indicate the single radio
controller and the subscriber identity of the UE, so that the first
core network controller registers the UE according to the single
radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE,
and the single radio controller receives a second response message
sent by the first core network controller, establishes the location
area hierarchical management context of the UE, and generates the
paging area list of the UE; and/or if it is determined that the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE is stored,
generating the paging area list of the UE.
[0009] With reference to the first aspect or either of the first
and the second possible implementation manners of the first aspect,
in a third possible implementation manner, the first request
message further carries hierarchical location update indication
information, and the hierarchical location update indication
information is used to indicate that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE; the
generating, by the single radio controller, a paging area list of
the UE according to the first request message includes:
determining, by the single radio controller according to the
hierarchical location update indication information, whether the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, and if it is determined that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the UE,
generating, by the single radio controller, the paging area list of
the UE according to the first request message.
[0010] With reference to the first aspect or the second possible
implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible
implementation manner, the first request message carries a first
non-access stratum (NAS) message, the first NAS message carries
hierarchical location update indication information, and the
hierarchical location update indication information is used to
indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE; and the generating, by the
single radio controller, a paging area list of the UE according to
the first request message includes: sending, by the single radio
controller, the first NAS message to a second core network
controller, so that the second core network controller registers
the UE according to the first NAS message; receiving, by the single
radio controller, a location area hierarchical management
indication message sent by the second core network controller,
where the location area hierarchical management indication message
is sent after the second core network controller registers the UE
according to the first NAS message and determines, according to the
hierarchical location update indication information, that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE; and establishing, by the single radio controller,
a location area hierarchical management context of the UE, and
generating the paging area list of the UE.
[0011] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the first
to the fourth possible implementation manners of the first aspect,
in a fifth possible implementation manner, the generating the
paging area list of the UE includes: acquiring, by the single radio
controller, a location area in which the UE is currently located;
and generating, by the single radio controller, the paging area
list of the UE according to the location area in which the UE is
currently located and a preset topology mapping table and/or a
preset network policy.
[0012] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the first
to the fourth possible implementation manners of the first aspect,
in a sixth possible implementation manner, the first request
message carries first location area information used to indicate a
location area accessed by the UE last time; and the generating the
paging area list of the UE includes: acquiring, by the single radio
controller, a location area in which the UE is currently located;
determining, by the single radio controller, a movement track of
the UE according to the location area in which the UE is currently
located and the first location area information; and generating, by
the single radio controller, the paging area list of the UE
according to the movement track of the UE; where the paging area
list of the UE includes at least a location area identity of the
location area in which the UE is currently located.
[0013] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the first
to the sixth possible implementation manners of the first aspect,
in a seventh possible implementation manner, the first response
message further carries duration information of a location update
timer; and after the adding, by the single radio controller, the
paging area list of the UE to a first response message, and sending
the first response message to the UE, the method further includes:
starting, by the single radio controller, the location update
timer, and if a message sent by the UE is still not received when
the location update timer expires, deleting the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE, where duration of the
location update timer is duration indicated by the duration
information of the location update timer.
[0014] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the first
to the seventh possible implementation manners of the first aspect,
in an eighth possible implementation manner, the method further
includes: when receiving a UE context release request message or
resource release request message of the UE, deleting, by the single
radio controller, the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE.
[0015] With reference to the first aspect or any one of the first
to the eighth possible implementation manners of the first aspect,
in a ninth possible implementation manner, the method further
includes: receiving, by the single radio controller, a first paging
message sent by a third core network controller, where the first
paging message carries the subscriber identity of the UE; and
acquiring, by the single radio controller, the paging area list of
the UE according to the subscriber identity of the UE, and sending
a second paging message to a location area recorded in the paging
area list of the UE.
[0016] According to a second aspect, an embodiment provides a
single radio controller, including: a receiving unit, configured to
receive a first request message, where the first request message is
used by a user equipment UE to request a location update; a
processing unit, configured to generate a paging area list of the
UE according to the first request message received by the receiving
unit, where the paging area list includes a location area identity
of a location area of at least one network standard; and a sending
unit, configured to: add the paging area list of the UE generated
by the processing unit to a first response message, and send the
first response message to the UE.
[0017] In a first possible implementation manner, the location area
identity of a location area of at least one network standard
includes one or more of a tracking area identity TAI, a routing
area identity RAI, and a cell identity.
[0018] With reference to the first possible implementation manner
of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner,
the first request message carries a subscriber identity of the UE;
the processing unit is further configured to: determine, according
to the subscriber identity of the UE, whether a location area
hierarchical management context of the UE is stored; and if it is
determined that the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE is stored, generate the paging area list of the UE,
and/or if it is determined that the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is not stored, send a notification
message to instruct the sending unit to send a second request
message to a first core network controller, where the second
request message carries a single radio controller identity used to
indicate the single radio controller and the subscriber identity of
the UE, so that the first core network controller registers the UE
according to the single radio controller identity and the
subscriber identity of the UE; the sending unit is further
configured to: when the processing unit determines, according to
the subscriber identity of the UE, that the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE is not stored, receive
the notification message sent by the processing unit, and send the
second request message to the first core network controller; and
the receiving unit is further configured to: after the sending unit
sends the second request message, receive a second response message
sent by the first core network controller, establish the location
area hierarchical management context of the UE, and generate the
paging area list of the UE.
[0019] With reference to the second aspect or the first or the
second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a
third possible implementation manner, the first request message
further carries hierarchical location update indication
information, and the hierarchical location update indication
information is used to indicate that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE; the
processing unit is further configured to: determine, according to
the hierarchical location update indication information, whether
the UE supports the single radio controller in performing a
location update on the UE, and if it is determined that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, generate the paging area list of the UE according
to the first request message.
[0020] With reference to the second aspect or the first or the
second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a
fourth possible implementation manner, the first request message
further carries a first non-access stratum NAS message, the first
NAS message carries hierarchical location update indication
information, and the hierarchical location update indication
information is used to indicate that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE; the
sending unit is further configured to send the first NAS message to
a second core network controller, so that the second core network
controller registers the UE according to the first NAS message; the
receiving unit is further configured to receive a location area
hierarchical management indication message sent by the second core
network controller, where the location area hierarchical management
indication message is sent after the second core network controller
registers the UE according to the first NAS message and determines,
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE; and the processing unit is
further configured to: establish the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE, and generate the paging area list of
the UE.
[0021] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first
to the fourth possible implementation manners of the second aspect,
in a fifth possible implementation manner, the processing unit is
further configured to: acquire a location area in which the UE is
currently located; and generate the paging area list of the UE
according to the location area in which the UE is currently located
and a preset topology mapping table and/or a preset network
policy.
[0022] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first
to the fourth possible implementation manners of the second aspect,
in a sixth possible implementation manner, the first request
message carries first location area information used to indicate a
location area accessed by the UE last time, and the processing unit
is further configured to: acquire a location area in which the UE
is currently located; determine a movement track of the UE
according to the location area in which the UE is currently located
and the first location area information; and generate the paging
area list of the UE according to the movement track of the UE;
where the paging area list of the UE includes at least a location
area identity of the location area in which the UE is currently
located.
[0023] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first
to the sixth possible implementation manners of the second aspect,
in a seventh possible implementation manner, the first response
message further carries duration information of a location update
timer; and the processing unit is further configured to: start the
location update timer, and if a message sent by the UE is still not
received by the receiving unit when the location update timer
expires, delete the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE, where duration of the location update timer is duration
indicated by the duration information of the location update
timer.
[0024] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first
to the seventh possible implementation manners of the second
aspect, in an eighth possible implementation manner, the processing
unit is further configured to: when a UE context release request
message or resource release request message of the UE is received
by using the receiving unit, delete the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE.
[0025] With reference to the second aspect or any one of the first
to the eighth possible implementation manners of the second aspect,
in a ninth possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is
further configured to receive a first paging message sent by a
third core network controller, where the first paging message
carries the subscriber identity of the UE; the processing unit is
further configured to acquire the paging area list of the UE
according to the subscriber identity of the UE; and the sending
unit is further configured to send a second paging message to a
location area recorded in the paging area list of the UE, where the
second paging message carries the subscriber identity of the
UE.
[0026] According to a third aspect, an embodiment provides a
location area management method, including: requesting, by a user
equipment UE, a single radio controller to perform a location
update on the UE, so that the single radio controller receives a
first request message, where the first request message is used to
request the single radio controller to perform a location update on
the UE, and after generating a paging area list of the UE according
to the first request message, the single radio controller sends the
paging area list of the UE to the UE, where the paging area list
includes a location area identity of a location area of at least
one network standard; and receiving, by the UE, the paging area
list of the UE, so that the UE performs location update determining
according to the paging area list.
[0027] With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner, the requesting, by a user equipment UE, a
single radio controller to perform a location update on the UE
includes: sending, by the UE, a third request message to an access
network device, so that the access network device sends the first
request message to the single radio controller according to the
third request message, where the third request message is used to
request the single radio controller to perform a location update on
the UE; or sending, by the UE, the first request message to the
single radio controller; where the first request message and the
third request message carry hierarchical location update indication
information, and the hierarchical location update indication
information is used to indicate that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE.
[0028] With reference to the third aspect, in a second possible
implementation manner, the requesting, by a user equipment UE, a
single radio controller to perform a location update on the UE
includes: sending, by the UE, a first non-access stratum NAS
message to an access network device, so that the access network
device adds the first NAS message to the first request message, and
sends the first request message to the single radio controller; or
sending, by the UE, the first request message to the single radio
controller, where the first request message includes the first NAS
message; where the first NAS message carries hierarchical location
update indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information is used to indicate that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the
UE.
[0029] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment provides a
location area management method, including: receiving, by a core
network controller, a second request message sent by a single radio
controller, where the second request message carries a single radio
controller identity used to indicate the single radio controller
and a subscriber identity of the UE; registering, by the core
network controller, the UE according to the single radio controller
identity and the subscriber identity of the UE; and sending, by the
core network controller, a second response message to the single
radio controller, so that, according to the second response
message, the single radio controller establishes a location area
hierarchical management context of the UE and generates a paging
area list of the UE.
[0030] With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner, the location area management method further
includes: sending, by the core network controller, a first paging
message to the single radio controller, where the first paging
message carries the subscriber identity of the UE, so that the
single radio controller acquires the paging area list of the UE
according to the subscriber identity of the UE, and sends a second
paging message to a location area recorded in the paging area list
of the UE, where the second paging message carries the subscriber
identity of the UE.
[0031] With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible
implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible
implementation manner, the second request message includes a first
non-access stratum NAS message, the first NAS message carries
hierarchical location update indication information, and the
hierarchical location update indication information is used to
indicate that the user equipment UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE; and after the
registering, by the core network controller, the UE according to
the single radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of
the UE, the method further includes: determining, by the core
network controller according to the hierarchical location update
indication information, whether the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE, and if it is
determined that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, sending the second response
message to the single radio controller, so that the single radio
controller establishes the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE, and generates the paging area list of the
UE.
[0032] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment provides a user
equipment, including: a sending unit, configured to request a
single radio controller to perform a location update on the UE, so
that the single radio controller receives a first request message,
where the first request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE, and after
generating a paging area list of the UE according to the first
request message, the single radio controller sends the paging area
list of the UE to the UE, where the paging area list includes a
location area identity of a location area of at least one network
standard; and a receiving unit, configured to receive the paging
area list of the UE sent by the single radio controller, so that
the UE performs location update determining according to the paging
area list.
[0033] With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to:
send a third request message to an access network device, so that
the access network device sends the first request message to the
single radio controller according to the third request message,
where the third request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE; or send the
first request message to the single radio controller; where the
first request message and the third request message carry
hierarchical location update indication information, and the
hierarchical location update indication information is used to
indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE.
[0034] With reference to the fifth aspect, in a second possible
implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to:
send a first non-access stratum NAS message to an access network
device, so that the access network device adds the first NAS
message to the first request message, and sends the first request
message to the single radio controller; or send the first request
message to the single radio controller, where the first request
message includes the first NAS message; where the first NAS message
carries hierarchical location update indication information, and
the hierarchical location update indication information is used to
indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE.
[0035] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment provides a core
network controller, including: a receiving unit, configured to
receive a second request message sent by a single radio controller,
where the second request message carries a single radio controller
identity used to indicate the single radio controller and a
subscriber identity of a user equipment UE; a registration unit,
configured to register the UE according to the single radio
controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE that are
received by the receiving unit; and a sending unit, configured to:
after the registration unit completes registration of the UE, send
a second response message to the single radio controller, so that,
according to the second response message, the single radio
controller establishes a location area hierarchical management
context of the UE and generates a paging area list of the UE.
[0036] With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to
send a first paging message to the single radio controller, where
the first paging message carries the subscriber identity of the UE,
so that the single radio controller acquires the paging area list
of the UE according to the subscriber identity of the UE, and sends
a second paging message to a location area recorded in the paging
area list of the UE, where the second paging message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE.
[0037] According to the location area management method and the
device provided in the embodiments, a single radio controller
receives a first request message, where the first request message
is used to request the single radio controller to perform a
location update on a UE; generates a paging area list of the UE
according to the first request message, where the paging area list
includes a location area identity of a location area of at least
one network standard; and adds the paging area list of the UE to a
first response message, and sends the first response message to the
UE, thereby implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with the
UE being a center, and improving a location area management effect.
In addition, the single radio controller manages location areas of
different network standards together, thereby implementing
collaboration on an inter-standard location update.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of
the present invention more clearly, the following briefly
introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the
embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings
in the following description show some embodiments of the present
invention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art may still
derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without
creative efforts.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a first location area management
method according to an embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a second location area management
method according to an embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a third location area management
method according to an embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first single
radio controller according to an embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a second single
radio controller according to an embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a fourth location area management
method according to an embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a fifth location area management
method according to an embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a first user
equipment according to an embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a first core
network controller according to an embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a second user
equipment according to an embodiment; and
[0049] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a second core
network controller according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0050] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages
of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following
clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the
present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described
embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present
invention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary
skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention
without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of
the present invention.
[0051] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of the
present invention, a single radio controller (SRC) is configured to
manage access network devices of different network standards
together. There may be one or more access network devices of
different network standards. Specifically, on an LTE network, the
access network device may be an eNB (evolved Node B); on a 2G
network, the access network device may be a BSC (base station
controller); and on a 3G network, the access network device may be
an RNC (radio network controller). The single radio controller may
be an independent network device, or may be integrated into another
network element on a network side. For example, the single radio
controller is integrated into an access network device, that is,
may be integrated into a BSC or an RNC. Alternatively, the single
radio controller, a BSC, and an RNC may be integrated together. In
the following embodiments, a single radio controller and an access
network device are separated for description, but the present
invention is not limited to an application scenario in which the
single radio controller and the access network device are
separately disposed. When the single radio controller and the
access network device are disposed integrally, communication
between the single radio controller and the access network device
may be implemented based on an intra-device module communication
manner in the prior art.
[0052] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a first location area management
method according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the location
area management method provided in this embodiment may be
specifically applied to a location area management process of a
wireless communication system, where the wireless communication
system may include two network standards, for example, an
application scenario in which an LTE network and a 2G/3G network
co-exist. The 2G network includes a GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communications) network and the like, and the 3G network includes a
WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) network, a TD-SCDMA
(Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) network,
and the like. A network element on the LTE network may specifically
include a P-GW (packet data network gateway), an S-GW (serving
gateway), an MME (Mobility Management Entity, mobility management
entity), and an eNB. A network element on the 2G network may
specifically include a P-GW, an S-GW, an SGSN (serving GPRS support
node), a BTS (base transceiver station), and a BSC. A network
element on the 3G network may specifically include a P-GW, an S-GW,
an SGSN, a Node B (Node B), and an RNC. For ease of description, in
the following embodiments, the application scenario in which the
LTE network and the 2G/3G network co-exist is used for description,
but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0053] The location area management method provided in this
embodiment of the present invention specifically includes the
following steps.
[0054] Step A100: A single radio controller receives a first
request message, where the first request message is used to request
the single radio controller to perform a location update on a
UE.
[0055] The location update may be a periodical location update of
the UE, a location update initiated when the UE moves to another
unregistered location area, a location update initiated by the UE
in an RRC connection setup procedure, a location update initiated
by the UE in a connected state in an uplink information transfer
process, or a location update initiated in a process in which the
UE attaches to a network, which is not limited herein.
[0056] When the single radio controller and an access network
device are integrated, the first request message may be directly
sent by the UE to the single radio controller, where the first
request message may be an uplink information transfer message
(Uplink Information Transfer) or a radio resource control (RRC)
connection setup complete message. For example, when the UE
initiates a location update in an RRC connection setup procedure,
the first request message sent by the UE is an RRC connection setup
complete message, where the message is used to request the single
radio controller to perform a location update on the UE. When the
single radio controller and the access network device are
independent of each other, the first request message is sent by the
access network device, where when the UE initiates a location
update, the UE sends a message to trigger the access network device
to send the first request message. For example, when in a connected
state, the UE sends an uplink information transfer message to the
access network device to request a location update; and after
receiving the uplink information transfer message, the access
network device generates the first request message to request the
single radio controller to perform a location update on the UE. In
this case, the first request message may be defined according to an
interface between the single radio controller and the access
network device, which is not limited.
[0057] The first request message may also be an internal message of
the single radio controller. For example, when a coverage range of
a location area managed by the single radio controller changes, an
update is performed on a location area, a preset network policy
changes, or a preset topology mapping table changes, the single
radio controller generates the first request message inside, so as
to trigger the single radio controller to perform a location update
on the UE. Therefore, it is implemented that the single radio
controller actively generates and updates a paging area list of the
UE, so that the single radio controller can quickly respond to a
change of a location area within a coverage range of the single
radio controller, and real-time performance and effectiveness of
the paging area list are significantly improved.
[0058] Step A200: The single radio controller generates a paging
area list (PAL) of the UE according to the first request message,
where the paging area list includes a location area identity of a
location area of at least one network standard.
[0059] The foregoing location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard may include one or more of a tracking
area identity, a routing area identity, and a cell identity. For
example, the paging area list may include one or more TAIs and one
or more RAIs. Apparently, the foregoing location area may be one or
more of a tracking area, a routing area, and a cell.
[0060] Step A300: The single radio controller adds the paging area
list of the UE to a first response message, and sends the first
response message to the UE.
[0061] The first response message may be a downlink information
transfer message or an RRC connection reconfiguration message,
which is not limited herein.
[0062] It should be noted that after the UE receives the paging
area list, when the UE is in an idle state, and moves in location
areas recorded in the paging area list, except a periodical
location update, no location update needs to be initiated. That is,
the paging area list is used by the UE for location update
determining.
[0063] Optionally, generation of the paging area list of the UE in
the foregoing step A200 may specifically include step A200a and
step A200b.
[0064] Step A200a: The single radio controller acquires a location
area in which the UE is currently located.
[0065] Specifically, when the single radio controller and the
access network device are independent of each other, the location
area in which the UE is currently located may be added by the
access network device to the first request message and sent to the
single radio controller; or may be reported in real time by the
access network device to the single radio controller, where after
receiving the first request message, the single radio controller
acquires the location area in which the UE is currently located; or
may be sent by the UE to the access network device, and then sent
by the access network device to the single radio controller by
using the first request message. When the single radio controller
and the access network device are integrated, after receiving the
first request message, the single radio controller may directly
acquire the location area in which the UE is currently located, or
the single radio controller may search a preset relationship table
between a cell and a location area according to a cell in which the
UE is located, to acquire the location area in which the UE is
currently located. Details are not described herein again.
[0066] Step A200b: The single radio controller generates the paging
area list of the UE according to the location area in which the UE
is currently located and a preset topology mapping table and/or a
preset network policy.
[0067] Specifically, the single radio controller generates the
paging area list of the UE according to the location area in which
the UE is currently located and the preset topology mapping table
on the single radio controller.
[0068] The preset topology mapping table is used to indicate a
coverage relationship between location areas that are of different
network standards and that are managed by the single radio
controller. The preset topology mapping table may be one table, or
may be multiple tables, for example, may be a table of a location
relationship between location areas of different network standards,
a relationship table of adjacent location areas of each network
standard, a relationship table of adjacent cells of different
network standards, or a relationship table of adjacent cells of
each network standard, or may be a combination thereof, which is
not limited herein.
[0069] For example, an adjacent location area of the location area
in which the UE is currently located may be determined according to
the location area in which the UE is currently located and the
preset topology mapping table, and a location area identity of the
location area in which the UE is currently located and a location
area identity of the adjacent location area are generated into the
paging area list of the UE. Alternatively, a mapped-to location
area that is of another network standard and that is of the
location area in which the UE is currently located may be
determined according to a mapping relationship table of location
areas of different network standards. For example, a tracking area
that is on an LTE network and in which the UE is currently located
is mapped to a routing area on a 2G/3G network according to network
topology information that is of different network standards and
that is grasped by the single radio controller, and the paging area
list of the UE is generated.
[0070] Specifically, the paging area list of the UE is generated
according to the location area in which the UE is currently located
and the preset network policy. The preset network policy may be
setting a location area in the paging area list of the UE as a
fixed location area within a preset period of time.
[0071] For example, in a location area, a user moves only in a
fixed location area within a fixed period of time; therefore, if
the location area in which the UE is currently located is the fixed
location area within a preset period of time, the paging area list
of the UE includes only the fixed location area, and there is no
need to configure another location area for the user, thereby
significantly reducing a paging volume. Alternatively, a quantity
of paging location areas of the UE may be reduced when paging
resources on a network side reach a preset threshold, which is not
limited herein.
[0072] Optionally, when the first request message carries first
location area information used to indicate a location area accessed
by the UE last time, the generation of the paging area list of the
UE in the foregoing step A200 may specifically include that the
single radio controller acquires the location area in which the UE
is currently located, and the single radio controller determines a
movement track of the UE according to the location area in which
the UE is currently located and the first location area
information; and the single radio controller generates the paging
area list of the UE according to the movement track of the UE.
[0073] The paging area list of the UE includes at least the
location area identity of the location area in which the UE is
currently located. The location area accessed by the UE last time
may be a location area in which the UE is located before moving to
the current location area, and a network standard of the location
area accessed by the UE last time and a network standard of the
location area in which the UE is currently located may be
different, or may be the same, which is not limited herein.
[0074] For example, on a railway line, the movement track of the UE
is regular. The single radio controller can determine, according to
the location area in which the UE is currently located and the
first location area information of the location area accessed by
the UE last time, that the UE moves away from the location area
accessed last time, and moves close to the location area in which
the UE is currently located, and can determine a movement direction
of the UE by using a coverage relationship between location areas
on the railway line, so that the movement track of the UE is
determined, and a location area ahead of the UE may be determined
according to the movement track of the UE. The paging area list of
the UE may be generated by combining location area identities of
the location area in which the UE is currently located and the
location area ahead. The coverage relationship between the location
areas on the railway line may be indicated by using the preset
topology mapping table. For details, refer to related descriptions
in step A200b. Specifically, four continuously covered location
areas A, B, C, and D on the railway line are used as an example,
where A is connected to B, B is connected to C, and C is connected
to D. Assuming that the location area accessed by the UE last time
is B, and the location area in which the UE is currently located is
C, the single radio controller may determine that the UE moves from
B to C, and further, may determine, according to the coverage
relationship between the location areas on the railway line, that
the location area ahead of the UE is D.
[0075] The paging area list of the UE generated by using the
foregoing method may be corresponding to the movement track of the
UE, so that a location area indicated in the paging area list is on
the movement track of the UE, and effectiveness of the paging area
list is further improved; therefore when the UE moves along the
movement track, except a periodical location update, no location
update needs to be initiated.
[0076] Optionally, in the foregoing step 200, reference may further
be made to a wireless capability of the UE, that is, a network
standard supported by the UE.
[0077] In the foregoing step A300, the single radio controller
sends the paging area list to the UE by using the first response
message. In a practical application process, when the single radio
controller and the access network device are independent of each
other, the first response message may be sent by the single radio
controller to the access network device, and then sent by the
access network device to the UE. After the UE receives the paging
area list, in a process of moving in location areas recorded in the
paging area list, except a periodical location update, no location
update needs to be initiated.
[0078] Specifically, when the single radio controller and the
access network device are independent of each other, that the
single radio controller adds the paging area list of the UE to a
first response message, and sends the first response message to the
UE in step A300 may include that: the single radio controller adds
the paging area list of the UE to the first response message, and
sends the first response message to the access network device, so
that the access network device adds the paging area list of the UE
to a downlink information transfer message or an RRC connection
reconfiguration message, and sends the downlink information
transfer message or the RRC connection reconfiguration message to
the UE.
[0079] According to the location area management method provided in
this embodiment, a single radio controller receives a first request
message, where the first request message is used to request the
single radio controller to perform a location update on a UE;
generates a paging area list of the UE according to the first
request message, where the paging area list includes a location
area identity of a location area of at least one network standard;
and adds the paging area list of the UE to a first response
message, and sends the first response message to the UE, thereby
implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with the UE being a
center, and improving a location area management effect. In
addition, the single radio controller manages location areas of
different network standards together, thereby implementing
collaboration on an inter-standard location update, and simplifying
mobility management of inter-standard movement of the UE.
[0080] Optionally, in a first implementation scenario in this
instance, the first request message may further carry hierarchical
location update indication information, where the hierarchical
location update indication information is used to indicate that the
UE supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE. That the single radio controller generates a
paging area list of the UE according to the first request message
in step A200 includes that the single radio controller determines,
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, whether the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, and if it is determined
that the UE supports the single radio controller in performing a
location update on the UE, the single radio controller generates
the paging area list of the UE according to the first request
message.
[0081] It should be pointed out that if it is determined, according
to the hierarchical location update indication information in the
first request message, that the UE does not support the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE, a core
network device may complete the generation of the paging area list,
which is not limited herein.
[0082] The following makes a description by using several specific
implementation manners, and in the following implementation
manners, the single radio controller and the access network device
are independent network devices.
[0083] In manner 1, the hierarchical location update indication
information may be carried by the UE to the access network device
by using an RRC connection setup complete message or an uplink
information transfer message, and then is sent by the access
network device to the single radio controller by using the first
request message.
[0084] For example, when an RRC connection setup is being performed
between the UE and the access network device, first, the UE sends
an RRC connection setup request message (RRC Connection Request) to
the access network device, where the RRC connection setup request
message may carry a subscriber identity of the UE; the access
network device sends an RRC connection setup message (RRC
Connection Setup) to the UE; the UE sends an RRC connection setup
complete message (RRC Connection Setup Complete) to the access
network device, where the RRC connection setup complete message
carries the hierarchical location update indication information;
and finally, the access network device sends the first request
message to the single radio controller, where the first request
message carries the hierarchical location update indication
information.
[0085] In manner 2, the hierarchical location update indication
information may be carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) message.
The UE adds the NAS message to an RRC connection setup complete
message or an uplink information transfer message, and sends the
RRC connection setup complete message or the uplink information
transfer message to the access network device, and then the RRC
connection setup complete message or the uplink information
transfer message is added by the access network device to the first
request message and sent to the single radio controller.
[0086] In the foregoing implementation scenario, when determining
that the UE supports the single radio controller in performing a
location update on the UE, the single radio controller generates
the paging area list of the UE, which avoids generation of a paging
area list for UE that does not support the single radio controller
in performing a location update, and saves operation time.
[0087] Optionally, in a second implementation scenario in this
embodiment, the first response message further carries duration
information of a location update timer. After step A300, the method
further includes: starting, by the single radio controller, the
location update timer, and if a message sent by the UE is still not
received when the location update timer expires, deleting a
location area hierarchical management context of the UE.
[0088] Duration of the location update timer is duration indicated
by the duration information of the location update timer, and is
used by the UE to perform a periodical location update according to
the duration of the location update timer.
[0089] Specifically, the single radio controller sends the first
response message to the UE, and meanwhile, starts the location
update timer. If the single radio controller does not receive a
periodical location update request message or another interactive
message from the UE from start to expiration of the location update
timer, the single radio controller deletes the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE.
[0090] Optionally, in a third implementation scenario in this
embodiment, the foregoing method may further include: when
receiving a UE context release request message or resource release
request message of the UE, deleting, by the single radio
controller, the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE.
[0091] Specifically, after the UE is handed over from one single
radio controller to another single radio controller, and for ease
of description, the single radio controller before the handover is
referred to as an old single radio controller, and the single radio
controller after the handover becomes a new single radio
controller, when receiving a UE context release request message or
resource release request message sent by a CC, the new single radio
controller, or an access network device, the old single radio
controller deletes the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE.
[0092] In the foregoing second and third implementation scenarios
in this instance, the single radio controller is triggered, by
using a timer or a message, to delete the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE, which can not only
release storage space of the single radio controller, but also
clear in time historical information of the UE on the single radio
controller, thereby avoiding expansion of an unnecessary paging
range when the location area hierarchical management context of the
UE is still stored after the UE moves out of a coverage range of
the single radio controller, also avoiding use of stored old
information when the UE accesses the single radio controller again,
and avoiding a paging failure caused by a paging range error.
[0093] Optionally, in a fourth implementation scenario in this
embodiment, the method further includes: receiving, by the single
radio controller, a first paging message sent by a third core
network controller (CC), where the first paging message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE; and acquiring, by the single radio
controller, the paging area list of the UE according to the
subscriber identity of the UE, and sending a second paging message
to a location area recorded in the paging area list of the UE,
where the second paging message carries the subscriber identity of
the UE. Specifically, the single radio controller may store the
paging area list of the UE after generating the paging area list of
the UE in step A200, and enables the paging area list of the UE to
be acquired by using the subscriber identity of the UE. For
example, the paging area list may be directly stored on the single
radio controller, or may be stored on another device, which is not
limited herein.
[0094] The core network controller is a newly added network
element, can perform mobility management on the single radio
controller, and may be connected to one or more single radio
controllers, where the single radio controller may communicate with
the CC by using a connection interface such as an SR (Single Radio)
interface. Hierarchical management of location areas can be
implemented by means of cooperation between the single radio
controller and the CC. For example, the CC registers the UE
according to a single radio controller identity and the subscriber
identity of the UE, which implements inter-single radio controller
mobility management of the UE by the CC. The single radio
controller is responsible for managing location areas that are of
different standards and that are within the coverage range of the
single radio controller, which implements mobility management of
the UE in a location area of the single radio controller, and
therefore, implements hierarchical management of location areas.
When the UE is being paged, the CC can quickly determine a single
radio controller serving the UE, and send a paging message to the
single radio controller, and the single radio controller determines
a paged location area according to a stored paging area list that
is of the UE and that is in a hierarchical management context, and
sends the paging message to the determined paged location area.
[0095] Specifically, when the UE is in an idle state, downlink data
of the UE reaches a P-GW, the P-GW sends the downlink data to an
S-GW, the S-GW sends a downlink data notification message to the
CC, the CC sends a first paging message to the single radio
controller, and the single radio controller performs paging
according to a location area identity recorded in the paging area
list. Preferably, location area identities of all network standards
are recorded in the paging area list. The single radio controller
determines, according to one or more TAIs recorded in the paging
area list, one or more location areas and eNBs that serve the
location areas, and sends a paging message by using a corresponding
S1 interface; and determines, according to one or more RAIs
recorded in the paging area list, one or more location areas and
BSCs/RNCs that serve the location areas, and sends a paging message
by using a corresponding Iu/Gb interface.
[0096] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a second location area management
method according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in this
embodiment, the foregoing first request message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE. Accordingly, that the single radio
controller generates a paging area list of the UE according to the
first request message in step A200 may include the following
steps.
[0097] Step A201: The single radio controller determines, according
to the subscriber identity of the UE, whether a location area
hierarchical management context of the UE is stored; and if it is
determined that the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE is not stored, executes step A202 and step A203, and/or
if it is determined that the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE is stored, executes step A204.
[0098] The location area hierarchical management context may
include the identity (such as a permanent identity or a temporary
identity) and the paging area list that are of the UE, and may
further include information, such as related information of a core
network controller with which the UE is registered, a network
standard of the UE during a last-time update, and a location area
in which the UE is located during a last-time update.
[0099] Step A202: Send a second request message to a first core
network controller, where the second request message carries a
single radio controller identity used to indicate the single radio
controller and the subscriber identity of the UE, so that the first
core network controller registers the UE according to the single
radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of the
UE.
[0100] The first core network controller and the third core network
controller that is in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 may be the
same, or may be different, which is not limited herein.
[0101] Specifically, the first request message may carry
identification information used to indicate the first core network
controller, where the identification information may be implemented
by using a GUMMEI (globally unique MME identifier). The single
radio controller may determine a corresponding core network
controller according to the identification information, and send
the second request message to the corresponding core network
controller, so as to register that the UE is in an area controlled
by the single radio controller.
[0102] Step A203: The single radio controller receives a second
response message sent by the first core network controller,
establishes the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE, and generates the paging area list of the UE.
[0103] Step A204: Generate the paging area list of the UE.
[0104] It should be pointed out that when the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE includes the paging area
list of the UE, the method further includes updating the paging
area list in the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE.
[0105] For the paging area list in steps A203 and A204 and how the
paging area list of the UE is generated, refer to related
descriptions in step A200. Details are not described herein
again.
[0106] The subscriber identity of the UE may be specifically a
permanent identity such as an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber
Identity), a temporary identity such as a TMSI (Temporary Mobile
Subscriber Identity), or a uniform identity allocated by a core
network controller to the UE by considering all UEs.
[0107] It should be noted that when the access network device and
the single radio controller are two independent network devices,
the access network device first receives a message that is sent by
the UE and that carries the subscriber identity of the UE, where
the message is used to request a location update; and then sends
the first request message to the single radio controller.
Apparently, the first request message includes content of the
message sent by the UE, and in addition, information about a
location area in which the UE is currently located may be added,
and then the first request message is sent to the single radio
controller, which is not limited herein.
[0108] When receiving the first request message, the single radio
controller determines, according to the subscriber identity of the
UE, whether the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE is stored; and if it is determined that the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE is stored, it indicates
that the UE is registered with the single radio controller, and the
single radio controller generates a paging area list for the UE,
and if it is determined that the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is not stored, it indicates that the
UE is a newly accessed UE, or the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is deleted, the single radio
controller sends the second request message to a first CC, so as to
initiate an inter-single radio controller update (ISU), and
register with the first CC that the UE is in the area controlled by
the single radio controller, where the second request message
carries the single radio controller identity and the subscriber
identity of the UE. The first CC records the single radio
controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE in a
context of the UE, where the context of the UE may be specifically
used in security and session management and a single radio
controller-level mobility management context. The first CC returns
the second response message to the single radio controller. In a
practical application process, the second response message may be
specifically an ISU accept message. The single radio controller
receives the second response message, establishes the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE, generates the paging
area list of the UE, and may record the paging area list in the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE.
[0109] In this embodiment, the foregoing second request message may
be an initial terminal message (Initial UE Message) or an uplink
NAS transport message.
[0110] Specifically, if the ISU is initiated in an RRC connection
setup process of the UE, the second request message may be
specifically the initial terminal message, and the second response
message may be an initial terminal complete message. If the ISU is
initiated when the UE is in a connected state, the second request
message may be specifically the uplink NAS transport message, and
the second response message may be an initial context setup request
or a downlink NAS transport message.
[0111] For example, a location update is initiated in the RRC
connection setup process of the UE, and the UE sends an RRC
connection setup complete message to the access network device,
where the RRC connection setup complete message includes the
subscriber identity of the UE, first location area information of a
location area accessed by the UE last time, and hierarchical
location update indication information, and the hierarchical
location update indication information is used to indicate that the
UE supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE. The access network device adds the subscriber
identity of the UE, the first location area information of the
location area accessed by the UE last time, and the hierarchical
location update indication information to the first request
message, and sends the first request message to the single radio
controller to request the single radio controller to perform a
location update on the UE. After determining, according to the
hierarchical location update indication information, that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, the single radio controller determines, according
to the subscriber identity of the UE, whether the single radio
controller stores the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE; and if the single radio controller stores the location
area hierarchical management context of the UE, generates the
paging area list according to the location area in which the UE is
currently located and the first location area information, or if
the single radio controller does not store the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE, sends the initial
terminal message to the first CC, where the initial terminal
message carries the single radio controller identity and the
subscriber identity of the UE, and the initial terminal message
indicates, to the first CC, that the UE supports location area
hierarchical management. The single radio controller initiates an
ISU, and registers with the first CC that the UE is in the area
controlled by the single radio controller. The first CC sends an
initial terminal complete message to the single radio controller,
and after receiving the initial context setup request, the single
radio controller establishes the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE, and generates the paging area list
according to the location area in which the UE is currently located
and the first location area information. Finally, the single radio
controller sends the first response message to the UE by using the
access network device, and adds the paging area list of the UE to
the first response message.
[0112] It should be noted that in a process of interaction between
the UE and the first CC, if the first CC reallocates a temporary
identity to the UE, or a key or an algorithm of air interface
security changes, after performing an update for the UE, the first
CC also sends, to the single radio controller, information about
the foregoing change, so that the single radio controller updates
corresponding information in the location area hierarchical
management context of the
[0113] UE.
[0114] In a process of gradual evolution of network deployment, in
a wireless communication system, a situation may occur in which a
single radio controller and a CC coexist with an MME and an SGSN
that are in an existing network. In an area in which a single radio
controller and a CC are not deployed, management may be performed
on a location area of the UE according to a location area
management method in the prior art. In an area in which a single
radio controller and a CC are deployed, management may be performed
on a location area of UE according to the method provided in this
embodiment. Specifically, a broadcast message that carries an
information element may be sent to notify the UE that a network
side supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update, and the broadcast message indicates that the UE that
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update may add, when initiating a location update, hierarchical
location update indication information to a message to be sent to
the network side, where the hierarchical location update indication
information is used to indicate that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE, so that
the single radio controller and the CC may determine, according to
the indication information, whether to use the single radio
controller to perform local area management on the UE. For example,
the UE may directly add the hierarchical location update indication
information to an NAS message, and send the NAS message to the CC.
If the CC determines that the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE, the CC
registers the UE according to a subscriber identity of the UE and a
single radio controller identity that are sent by the single radio
controller, and instructs the single radio controller to perform
location area management on the UE. In this case, if the UE does
not support the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, the CC may perform management on a location area
of the UE.
[0115] According to the method provided in this embodiment, a
single radio controller manages location areas of different network
standards together, thereby implementing collaboration on an
inter-standard location update, and simplifying mobility management
of inter-standard movement of the UE. In addition, when the UE
requests a location update from the single radio controller, the
single radio controller determines, according to a subscriber
identity of the UE, whether a hierarchical management context of
the UE is stored. If the single radio controller stores a location
area hierarchical management context of the UE, a paging area list
of the UE is generated, that is, when having registered the UE with
a CC, the single radio controller directly generates the paging
area list of the UE, which reduces signaling of interaction between
the single radio controller and the CC, and simplifies an operation
procedure. If the single radio controller does not store the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE, the single
radio controller performs registration with the CC, and implements
hierarchical management of location areas, and the CC implements
inter-single radio controller mobility management. The single radio
controller is responsible for managing location areas that are of
different standards and that are within a coverage range.
Therefore, a problem in the prior art that a core network device
cannot perform a prompt update according to a change of a coverage
range of a location area is resolved, and a single radio controller
serving a UE can be quickly located in a paging process, thereby
performing efficient paging.
[0116] Optionally, in a first implementation scenario in this
embodiment, the first request message further carries an attach
request message, a hierarchical location update request message, or
a preset information element. The attach request message is used to
request the first CC to register the UE, and may be specifically
added by the UE to an RRC connection setup complete message or an
uplink information transfer message, and sent to the single radio
controller or the access network device. The preset information
element may be hierarchical location update indication information,
which is used to indicate that the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE.
[0117] For example, in a network attachment process of the UE, the
RRC connection setup complete message sent by the UE to the access
network device carries the subscriber identity of the UE, the
hierarchical location update request message, and the attach
request message to request a location update. The access network
device adds the hierarchical location update request message, the
attach request message, and the subscriber identity of the UE to
the first request message, and sends the first request message to
the single radio controller. After obtaining the hierarchical
location update request message by means of parsing, the single
radio controller determines, according to the subscriber identity
of the UE, whether the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE is stored; and if it is determined that the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE is stored,
directly generates the paging area list, and if it is determined
that the location area hierarchical management context of the UE is
not stored, sends an uplink NAS transport message to the first CC,
where the uplink NAS transport message carries the single radio
controller identity, the subscriber identity of the UE, and the
attach request message, initiates an ISU, and registers with the
first CC that the UE is in the area controlled by the single radio
controller. The first CC sends an initial context setup request
message or an attach accept message to the single radio controller,
and the single radio controller establishes the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE, and generates the paging
area list of the UE. Finally, the single radio controller sends an
RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE by using the
access network device, and adds the paging area list of the UE to
the RRC connection reconfiguration message.
[0118] For another example, when the UE is in a connected state and
initiates a location update, the uplink information transfer
message sent by the UE to the access network device carries the
subscriber identity of the UE, the attach request message, and the
hierarchical location update indication information. The access
network device adds the attach request message, the subscriber
identity of the UE, and the hierarchical location update indication
information to the first request message, and sends the first
request message to the single radio controller. After determining,
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, the single radio controller
determines, according to the subscriber identity of the UE, whether
the single radio controller stores the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE; and if it is determined that the
single radio controller stores the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE, generates the paging area list
according to the first location area information, and if it is
determined that the single radio controller does not store the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE, sends an
uplink NAS transport message to the first CC, where the uplink NAS
transport message carries the single radio controller identity, the
subscriber identity of the UE, and the attach request message,
initiates an ISU, and registers with the first CC that the UE is in
the area controlled by the single radio controller. The first CC
returns a response message to the single radio controller, and the
single radio controller establishes the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE, and generates the paging area list of
the UE. Finally, the single radio controller sends the first
response message to the access network device, where the first
response message carries the paging area list. After receiving the
first response message, the access network device adds the paging
area list to a downlink information transfer message or an RRC
connection reconfiguration message, and sends the downlink
information transfer message or the RRC connection reconfiguration
message to the UE.
[0119] Apparently, the foregoing attach request message may also be
carried in another message except the second request message, and
sent to the first CC, which is not limited herein.
[0120] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a third location area management
method according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in this
embodiment, the first request message further carries a first NAS
message, the first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information is used to indicate that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the
UE.
[0121] Accordingly, that the single radio controller generates a
paging area list of the UE according to the first request message
in step A200 includes the following steps.
[0122] Step A211: The single radio controller sends the first NAS
message to a second CC, so that the second CC registers the UE
according to the first NAS message.
[0123] The first NAS message carries the foregoing hierarchical
location update indication information, and the first NAS message
may be an attach request message or a hierarchical location update
request message.
[0124] Specifically, the first NAS message may be carried in an
initial terminal message or an uplink NAS transport message, and
sent to the second CC. In addition, the initial terminal message or
the uplink NAS transport message may carry the single radio
controller identity of the single radio controller, and the single
radio controller identity is used by the second CC to record, when
the second CC registers the UE, the single radio controller serving
the UE, so that when delivering a paging message, the second CC can
quickly locate the single radio controller serving the UE.
[0125] The second CC and the third CC that is in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 may be the same, or may be different, which is not
limited herein.
[0126] Step A212: The single radio controller receives a location
area hierarchical management indication message sent by the second
CC, where the location area hierarchical management indication
message is sent after the second CC registers the UE according to
the first NAS message and determines, according to the hierarchical
location update indication information, that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the
UE.
[0127] For example, after receiving the first NAS message, when
determining, according to the hierarchical location update
indication information, that the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE, the second CC
may send the location area hierarchical management indication
message to the single radio controller after registering the
UE.
[0128] Step A213: The single radio controller establishes the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE, and
generates the paging area list of the UE.
[0129] Specifically, the UE that initiates a location update sends
the first NAS message to the access network device, where the first
NAS message carries the hierarchical location update indication
information. The access network device then adds the first NAS
message to the first request message, and sends the first request
message to the single radio controller, and the single radio
controller directly and transparently transmits the first NAS
message to the second CC. After receiving the first NAS message,
when determining, according to the hierarchical location update
indication information in the first NAS message, that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE, the second CC sends the location area
hierarchical management indication message to the single radio
controller after registering the UE. The single radio controller
establishes the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE, and generates the paging area list of the UE. For a
specific process in which the single radio controller generates the
paging area list of the UE, refer to related descriptions in step
Embodiment 1.
[0130] According to the method provided in this embodiment, a
single radio controller manages location areas of different network
standards together, thereby implementing collaboration on an
inter-standard location update. In addition, by means of
collaboration between the single radio controller and a CC, the CC
performs inter-single radio controller mobility management on the
UE, and the single radio controller performs inter-location area
mobility management on the UE, where the location areas are of
different standards, thereby implementing hierarchical management
of location areas, and resolving a problem in the prior art that a
core network device cannot perform a prompt update according to a
change of a coverage range of a location area.
[0131] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first single
radio controller according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the single radio controller provided
in this embodiment may specifically implement the steps of the
location area management method provided in any one of the
embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 in the present invention. A
specific implementation process and related descriptions are not
described herein again. The single radio controller provided in
this embodiment specifically includes: a receiving unit 11,
configured to receive a first request message, where the first
request message is used to request the single radio controller to
perform a location update on a UE; a processing unit 12, configured
to generate a paging area list of the UE according to the first
request message received by the receiving unit 11, where the paging
area list includes a location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard; and a sending unit 13, configured
to: add the paging area list of the UE generated by the processing
unit 12 to a first response message, and send the first response
message to the UE.
[0132] The foregoing location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard includes one or more of a tracking
area identity, a routing area identity, and a cell identity.
[0133] The first request message may be an uplink information
transfer message or an RRC connection setup complete message, and
the first response message may be a downlink information transfer
message or an RRC connection reconfiguration message.
[0134] The single radio controller provided in this embodiment
receives a first request message, where the first request message
is used to request the single radio controller to perform a
location update on the UE; generates a paging area list of the UE
according to the first request message, where the paging area list
includes a location area identity of a location area of at least
one network standard; and adds the paging area list of the UE to a
first response message, and sends the first response message to the
UE, thereby implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with the
UE being a center, and improving a location area management effect.
In addition, location areas of different network standards are
managed together, collaboration on an inter-standard location
update is implemented, and mobility management of inter-standard
movement of the UE is simplified.
[0135] Optionally, the first request message carries a subscriber
identity of the UE. The processing unit 12 may be further
configured to: determine, according to the subscriber identity of
the UE, whether a location area hierarchical management context of
the UE is stored; and if it is determined that the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE is stored, generate the
paging area list of the UE, and/or if it is determined that the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE is not
stored, send a notification message to instruct the sending unit 13
to send a second request message to a first core network
controller, where the second request message carries a single radio
controller identity used to indicate the single radio controller
and the subscriber identity of the UE, so that the first core
network controller registers the UE according to the single radio
controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE.
[0136] The sending unit 13 is further configured to: when the
processing unit 12 determines, according to the subscriber identity
of the UE, that the location area hierarchical management context
of the UE is not stored, receive the notification message sent by
the processing unit 12, and send the second request message to the
first core network controller.
[0137] The receiving unit 11 is further configured to: after the
sending unit 13 sends the second request message, receive a second
response message sent by the first core network controller,
establish the location area hierarchical management context of the
UE, and generate the paging area list of the UE.
[0138] Specifically, the first request message further carries
identification information used to indicate the first core network
controller, and the sending unit 13 sends the second request
message to the first core network controller indicated by the
identification information.
[0139] The second request message may be an initial terminal
message or an uplink NAS transport message.
[0140] Optionally, the first response message further carries
duration information of a location update timer. The processing
unit 12 may be further configured to: start the location update
timer, and if a message sent by the UE is still not received by the
receiving unit 11 when the location update timer expires, delete
the location area hierarchical management context of the UE, where
duration of the location update timer is duration indicated by the
duration information of the location update timer.
[0141] Optionally, the processing unit 12 is further configured to:
when a UE context release request message or resource release
request message of the UE is received by using the receiving unit
11, delete the location area hierarchical management context of the
UE.
[0142] Specifically, the processing unit 12 is further configured
to: acquire, according to the first request message, a location
area in which the UE is currently located, and generate the paging
area list of the UE according to the location area in which the UE
is currently located and a preset topology mapping table and/or a
preset network policy.
[0143] Optionally, the first request message carries first location
area information used to indicate a location area accessed by the
UE last time. The processing unit 12 may be further configured to:
acquire a location area in which the UE is currently located,
determine a movement track of the UE according to the location area
in which the UE is currently located and the first location area
information, and generate the paging area list of the UE according
to the movement track of the UE, where the paging area list of the
UE includes at least a location area identity of the location area
in which the UE is currently located.
[0144] For details of determining of the movement track of the UE,
refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0145] Optionally, the first request message further carries
hierarchical location update indication information, the
hierarchical location update indication information is used to
indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, and the processing unit 12
is further configured to: determine, according to the hierarchical
location update indication information, whether the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the UE,
and if it is determined that the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE, generate the
paging area list of the UE according to the foregoing first request
message.
[0146] Optionally, the first request message further carries a
first NAS message, and the first NAS message carries hierarchical
location update indication information.
[0147] The sending unit 13 may be further configured to send the
first NAS message to a second core network controller, so that the
second core network controller registers the UE according to the
first NAS message.
[0148] The receiving unit 11 may be further configured to receive a
location area hierarchical management indication message sent by
the second core network controller, where the location area
hierarchical management indication message is sent after the second
core network controller registers the UE according to the first NAS
message and determines, according to the hierarchical location
update indication information, that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE.
[0149] The processing unit 12 may be further configured to
establish the location area hierarchical management context of the
UE, and generate the paging area list of the UE.
[0150] Optionally, the first request message further carries an
attach request message, and the attach request message is added by
the UE to an RRC connection setup complete message, and sent to the
single radio controller.
[0151] Optionally, the receiving unit 11 is further configured to
receive a first paging message sent by a third core network
controller, where the first paging message carries the subscriber
identity of the UE.
[0152] The processing unit 12 may be further configured to acquire
the paging area list of the UE according to the subscriber identity
of the UE.
[0153] The sending unit 13 may be further configured to send a
second paging message to a location area recorded in the paging
area list of the UE, where the second paging message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE.
[0154] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a second single
radio controller according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5,
the single radio controller provided in this embodiment may
specifically implement the steps of the location area management
method provided in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to
FIG. 3 in the present invention. A specific implementation process
and related descriptions are not described herein again. The single
radio controller provided in this embodiment specifically includes:
a receiver 21, configured to receive a first request message, where
the first request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on a UE; a processor 22,
configured to generate a paging area list of the UE according to
the first request message received by the receiver 21, where the
paging area list includes a location area identity of a location
area of at least one network standard; and a transmitter 23,
configured to: add the paging area list of the UE generated by the
processor 22 to a first response message, and send the first
response message to the UE.
[0155] The foregoing location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard includes one or more of a tracking
area identity, a routing area identity, and a cell identity.
[0156] The first request message may be an uplink information
transfer message or an RRC connection setup complete message, and
the first response message may be a downlink information transfer
message or an RRC connection reconfiguration message.
[0157] The single radio controller provided in this embodiment
receives a first request message, where the first request message
is used to request the single radio controller to perform a
location update on the UE; generates a paging area list of the UE
according to the first request message, where the paging area list
includes a location area identity of a location area of at least
one network standard; and adds the paging area list of the UE to a
first response message, and sends the first response message to the
UE, thereby implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with the
UE being a center, and improving a location area management effect.
In addition, location areas of different network standards are
managed together, collaboration on an inter-standard location
update is implemented, and mobility management of inter-standard
movement of the UE is simplified.
[0158] Optionally, the first request message carries a subscriber
identity of the UE. The processor 22 may be further configured to:
determine, according to the subscriber identity of the UE, whether
a location area hierarchical management context of the UE is
stored; and if it is determined that the location area hierarchical
management context of the UE is stored, generate the paging area
list of the UE, and/or if it is determined that the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE is not stored, send a
notification message to instruct the transmitter 23 to send a
second request message to a first core network controller, where
the second request message carries a single radio controller
identity used to indicate the single radio controller and the
subscriber identity of the UE, so that the first core network
controller registers the UE according to the single radio
controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE.
[0159] The transmitter 23 is further configured to: when the
processor 22 determines, according to the subscriber identity of
the UE, that the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE is not stored, receive the notification message sent by the
processor 22, and send the second request message to the first core
network controller.
[0160] The receiver 21 is further configured to: after the
transmitter 23 sends the second request message, receive a second
response message sent by the first core network controller,
establish the location area hierarchical management context of the
UE, and generate the paging area list of the UE.
[0161] Specifically, the first request message further carries
identification information used to indicate the first core network
controller, and the transmitter 23 sends the second request message
to the first core network controller indicated by the
identification information.
[0162] The second request message may be an initial terminal
message or an uplink NAS transport message.
[0163] Optionally, the first response message further carries
duration information of a location update timer. The processor 22
may be further configured to: start the location update timer, and
if a message sent by the UE is still not received by the receiver
21 when the location update timer expires, delete the location area
hierarchical management context of the UE, where duration of the
location update timer is duration indicated by the duration
information of the location update timer.
[0164] Optionally, the processor 22 is further configured to: when
a UE context release request message or resource release request
message of the UE is received by using the receiver 21, delete the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE.
[0165] Specifically, the processor 22 is further configured to:
acquire, according to the first request message, a location area in
which the UE is currently located, and generate the paging area
list of the UE according to the location area in which the UE is
currently located and a preset topology mapping table and/or a
preset network policy.
[0166] Optionally, the first request message carries first location
area information used to indicate a location area accessed by the
UE last time. The processor 22 may be further configured to:
acquire a location area in which the UE is currently located,
determine a movement track of the UE according to the location area
in which the UE is currently located and the first location area
information, and generate the paging area list of the UE according
to the movement track of the UE, where the paging area list of the
UE includes at least a location area identity of the location area
in which the UE is currently located.
[0167] For details of determining of the movement track of the UE,
refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0168] Optionally, the first request message further carries
hierarchical location update indication information, the
hierarchical location update indication information is used to
indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, and the processor 22 is
further configured to: determine, according to the hierarchical
location update indication information, whether the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the UE,
and if it is determined that the UE supports the single radio
controller in performing a location update on the UE, generate the
paging area list of the UE according to the foregoing first request
message.
[0169] Optionally, the first request message further carries a
first NAS message, and the first NAS message carries hierarchical
location update indication information.
[0170] The transmitter 23 may be further configured to send the
first NAS message to a second core network controller, so that the
second core network controller registers the UE according to the
first NAS message.
[0171] The receiver 21 may be further configured to receive a
location area hierarchical management indication message sent by
the second core network controller, where the location area
hierarchical management indication message is sent after the second
core network controller registers the UE according to the first NAS
message and determines, according to the hierarchical location
update indication information, that the UE supports the single
radio controller in performing a location update on the UE.
[0172] The processor 22 may be further configured to establish the
location area hierarchical management context of the UE, and
generate the paging area list of the UE.
[0173] Optionally, the first request message further carries an
attach request message, and the attach request message is added by
the UE to an RRC connection setup complete message, and sent to the
single radio controller.
[0174] Optionally, the receiver 21 is further configured to receive
a first paging message sent by a third core network controller,
where the first paging message carries the subscriber identity of
the UE.
[0175] The processor 22 may be further configured to acquire the
paging area list of the UE according to the subscriber identity of
the UE.
[0176] The transmitter 23 may be further configured to send a
second paging message to a location area recorded in the paging
area list of the UE, where the second paging message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE.
[0177] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a fourth location area management
method according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the location
area management method provided in this embodiment may be
specifically implemented in conjunction with the method that is
applied to a single radio controller and that is provided in the
embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. A specific implementation
process is not described herein again.
[0178] The location area management method provided in this
embodiment specifically includes the following steps.
[0179] Step B100: A UE requests a single radio controller to
perform a location update on the UE, so that the single radio
controller receives a first request message, where the first
request message is used to request the single radio controller to
perform a location update on the UE, and after generating a paging
area list of the UE according to the first request message, the
single radio controller sends the paging area list of the UE to the
UE, where the paging area list includes a location area identity of
a location area of at least one network standard.
[0180] The foregoing location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard includes one or more of a tracking
area identity, a routing area identity, and a cell identity.
[0181] Step B200: The UE receives the paging area list of the UE
sent by the single radio controller, so that the UE performs
location update determining according to the paging area list of
the UE.
[0182] Specifically, the UE performs location update determining
according to the paging area list, so that when the UE is in an
idle state, and moves in location areas that are of different
standards and that are in the paging area list, except a periodical
location update, no other location update is performed, which
reduces signaling load of a system.
[0183] Specifically, when the single radio controller and an access
network device are independent of each other, the paging area list
of the UE may be sent to the access network device by using a first
response message, and then sent by the access network device to the
UE by using an RRC message. When the single radio controller and
the access network device are integrated, the single radio
controller may directly send the first response message that
carries the paging area list of the UE to the UE. Further, the
first response message may further carry duration information of a
location update timer, which is used to configure duration that is
of the timer and that is for performing a periodical location
update on the UE.
[0184] According to the location area management method provided in
this embodiment, a UE requests a single radio controller to perform
a location update on the UE, so that the single radio controller
receives a first request message, where the first request message
is used to request the single radio controller to perform a
location update on the UE, and after generating a paging area list
of the UE according to the first request message, the single radio
controller sends the paging area list of the UE to the UE, where
the paging area list includes a location area identity of a
location area of at least one network standard. The UE receives the
paging area list of the UE sent by the single radio controller, and
the UE performs location update determining according to the paging
area list, so that when the UE is in an idle state, and moves in
location areas that are of different standards and that are in the
paging area list, except a periodical location update, no other
location update is performed, which reduces signaling load of a
system.
[0185] In an implementation scenario in this embodiment, that a
user equipment requests a single radio controller to perform a
location update on the UE in step B 100 may include that:
[0186] the UE sends a first NAS message to the access network
device, so that the access network device adds the first NAS
message to the first request message, and sends the first request
message to the single radio controller; or the UE sends the first
request message to the single radio controller, where the first
request message includes a first NAS message.
[0187] The first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, which is used to indicate that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE.
[0188] The access network device may be a BSC, an RNC, or an eNB,
which is not limited herein.
[0189] In another implementation scenario in this embodiment, that
a user equipment requests a single radio controller to perform a
location update on the UE in step B100 may include that: the UE
sends a third request message to the access network device, so that
the access network device sends the first request message to the
single radio controller according to the third request message,
where the third request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE; or the UE sends
the first request message to the single radio controller.
[0190] The first request message and the third request message
carry hierarchical location update indication information, which is
used to indicate that the UE supports the single radio controller
in performing a location update on the UE.
[0191] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a fifth location area management
method according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the location
area management method provided in this embodiment may be
specifically implemented in conjunction with the method that is
applied to a single radio controller and that is provided in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2. A specific implementation process is
not described herein again.
[0192] The location area management method provided in this
embodiment specifically includes the following steps.
[0193] Step C100: A CC receives a second request message sent by a
single radio controller, where the second request message carries a
single radio controller identity used to indicate the single radio
controller and a subscriber identity of a UE.
[0194] Step C200: The CC registers the UE according to the single
radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of the
UE.
[0195] Step C300: The CC sends a second response message to the
single radio controller, so that, according to the second response
message, the single radio controller establishes a location area
hierarchical management context of the UE and generates a paging
area list of the UE.
[0196] Optionally, in a scenario in which the method is implemented
in conjunction with the method that is applied to a single radio
controller and that is provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3,
the foregoing second request message may include a first NAS
message, and the first NAS message carries hierarchical location
update indication information, which is used to indicate that the
UE supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the
[0197] UE.
[0198] In step C200, after the CC registers the UE according to the
single radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of the
UE, the foregoing method further includes determining, by the CC
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, whether the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, and if it is determined
that the UE supports the single radio controller in performing a
location update on the UE, sending the second response message to
the single radio controller, so that the single radio controller
establishes the location area hierarchical management context of
the UE, and generates the paging area list of the UE.
[0199] The second response message may be a location area
hierarchical management indication message.
[0200] According to the location area management method provided in
this embodiment, a core network controller receives a second
request message sent by a single radio controller, where the second
request message carries a single radio controller identity used to
indicate the single radio controller and a subscriber identity of
UE, the CC registers the UE according to the single radio
controller identity and the subscriber identity of the UE, and the
CC sends a second response message to the single radio controller,
so that, according to the second response message, the single radio
controller establishes a location area hierarchical management
context of the UE and generates a paging area list of the UE,
thereby implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with the UE
being a center, and improving a location area management effect. By
means of cooperation between the CC and the single radio
controller, location areas of different network standards are
managed together hierarchically, where the CC is responsible for
registering the UE, and the single radio controller is responsible
for managing an inter-standard location update, for the UE, inside
the single radio controller; therefore, effective collaboration on
an inter-standard location update is implemented. In addition, by
determining whether the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE is stored, the single radio controller determines
whether the UE has completed registration with the CC, which can
significantly reduce signaling exchange between the single radio
controller and the CC, so that a delay is reduced.
[0201] Optionally, in an implementation scenario, the location area
management method may further include: sending, by the CC, a first
paging message to the single radio controller, where the first
paging message carries the subscriber identity of the UE, so that
the single radio controller acquires the paging area list of the UE
according to the subscriber identity of the UE, and sends a second
paging message to a location area recorded in the paging area list
of the UE, where the second paging message carries the subscriber
identity of the UE.
[0202] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a first user
equipment according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, a user
equipment 800 provided in this embodiment may specifically
implement the steps of the location area management method that is
applied to the user equipment and that is provided in any one of
the embodiments of the present invention. A specific implementation
process is not described herein again. The user equipment 800
specifically includes: a sending unit 31, configured to request a
single radio controller to perform a location update on the user
equipment 800, so that the single radio controller receives a first
request message, where the first request message is used to request
the single radio controller to perform a location update on the UE,
and after generating a paging area list of the UE according to the
first request message, the single radio controller sends the paging
area list of the UE to the UE, where the paging area list includes
a location area identity of a location area of at least one network
standard; and a receiving unit 32, configured to receive the paging
area list of the UE sent by the single radio controller, so that
the UE performs location update determining according to the paging
area list.
[0203] The foregoing location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard includes one or more of a tracking
area identity, a routing area identity, and a cell identity.
[0204] Optionally, the sending unit 31 is further configured to
send a first NAS message to an access network device, so that the
access network device adds the first NAS message to the first
request message, and sends the first request message to the single
radio controller; or send the first request message to the single
radio controller, where the first request message includes the
first NAS message.
[0205] The first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, which is used to indicate that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE.
[0206] Optionally, the sending unit 31 is further configured to
send a third request message to an access network device, so that
the access network device sends the first request message to the
single radio controller according to the third request message,
where the third request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE; or send the
first request message to the single radio controller.
[0207] The first request message and the third request message
carry the foregoing hierarchical location update indication
information.
[0208] Optionally, the third request message may carry an attach
request message, so that the UE registers with a CC by using the
single radio controller.
[0209] The user equipment provided requests a single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE, so that the
single radio controller receives a first request message, where the
first request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the user equipment UE,
and after generating a paging area list of the UE according to the
first request message, the single radio controller sends the paging
area list of the UE to the UE, where the paging area list includes
a location area identity of a location area of at least one network
standard; and receives the paging area list of the UE sent by the
single radio controller, and the UE performs location update
determining according to the paging area list, so that when the UE
is in an idle state, and moves in location areas that are of
different standards and that are in the paging area list, except a
periodical location update, no other location update is performed,
which reduces signaling load of a system.
[0210] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a first core
network controller according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9,
a core network controller 900 provided in this embodiment may
specifically implement the steps of the location area management
method that is applied to a core network controller and that is
provided in any one of the embodiments of the present invention. A
specific implementation process is not described herein again.
[0211] The core network controller 900 provided in this embodiment
specifically includes: a receiving unit 41, configured to receive a
second request message sent by a single radio controller, where the
second request message carries a single radio controller identity
used to indicate the single radio controller and a subscriber
identity of a UE; a registration unit 42, configured to register
the UE according to the single radio controller identity and the
subscriber identity of the UE that are received by the receiving
unit 41; and a sending unit 43, configured to: after the
registration unit 42 completes registration of the UE, send a
second response message to the single radio controller, so that,
according to the second response message, the single radio
controller establishes a location area hierarchical management
context of the UE and generates a paging area list of the UE.
[0212] Optionally, the second request message includes a first NAS
message, the first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information is used to indicate that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the
UE.
[0213] The sending unit 43 is configured to: if it is determined,
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, send the second response
message to the single radio controller, so that the single radio
controller establishes the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE, and generates the paging area list of the
UE.
[0214] The second response message may be a location area
hierarchical management indication message.
[0215] Optionally, the sending unit 43 is further configured to
send a first paging message to the single radio controller, where
the first paging message carries the subscriber identity of the UE,
so that the single radio controller acquires the paging area list
of the UE according to the subscriber identity of the UE, and sends
a second paging message to a location area recorded in the paging
area list of the UE, where the second paging message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE.
[0216] The core network controller provided in this embodiment
receives a second request message sent by a single radio
controller, where the second request message carries a single radio
controller identity used to indicate the single radio controller
and a subscriber identity of the UE; registers the UE according to
the single radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of
the UE; and sends a second response message to the single radio
controller, so that, according to the second response message, the
single radio controller establishes a location area hierarchical
management context of the UE and generates a paging area list of
the UE, thereby implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with
the UE being a center, and improving a location area management
effect. By means of cooperation between the CC and the single radio
controller, location areas of different network standards are
managed together hierarchically, where the CC is responsible for
registering the UE, and the single radio controller is responsible
for managing an inter-standard location update, for the UE, inside
the single radio controller; therefore, effective collaboration on
an inter-standard location update is implemented. In addition, by
determining whether the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE is stored, the single radio controller determines
whether the UE completes registration with the CC, which can
significantly reduce signaling exchange between the single radio
controller and the CC, so that a delay is reduced.
[0217] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a second user
equipment according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, a user
equipment 1000 provided in this embodiment may specifically
implement the steps of the location area management method that is
applied to the user equipment and that is provided in any one of
the embodiments. A specific implementation process is not described
herein again.
[0218] The user equipment 1000 provided in this embodiment
specifically includes: a transmitter 51, configured to request a
single radio controller to perform a location update on the UE, so
that the single radio controller receives a first request message,
where the first request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the user equipment UE,
and after generating a paging area list of the UE according to the
first request message, the single radio controller sends the paging
area list of the UE to the UE, where the paging area list includes
a location area identity of a location area of at least one network
standard; and a receiver 52, configured to receive the paging area
list of the UE sent by the single radio controller, so that the UE
performs location update determining according to the paging area
list.
[0219] The foregoing location area identity of a location area of
at least one network standard includes one or more of a tracking
area identity, a routing area identity, and a cell identity.
[0220] Optionally, the transmitter 51 is further configured to:
send a first NAS message to an access network device, so that the
access network device adds the first NAS message to the first
request message, and sends the first request message to the single
radio controller; or send the first request message to the single
radio controller, where the first request message includes the
first NAS message.
[0221] The first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, which is used to indicate that the UE
supports the single radio controller in performing a location
update on the UE.
[0222] Optionally, the transmitter 51 is further configured to:
send a third request message to an access network device, so that
the access network device sends the first request message to the
single radio controller according to the third request message,
where the third request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE; or send the
first request message to the single radio controller.
[0223] The first request message and the third request message
carry the foregoing hierarchical location update indication
information.
[0224] Optionally, the third request message may carry an attach
request message, so that the UE registers with a CC by using the
single radio controller.
[0225] The user equipment provided requests a single radio
controller to perform a location update on the UE, so that the
single radio controller receives a first request message, where the
first request message is used to request the single radio
controller to perform a location update on the user equipment UE,
and after generating a paging area list of the UE according to the
first request message, the single radio controller sends the paging
area list of the UE to the UE, where the paging area list includes
a location area identity of a location area of at least one network
standard; and receives the paging area list of the UE sent by the
single radio controller, and the UE performs location update
determining according to the paging area list, so that when the UE
is in an idle state, and moves in location areas that are of
different standards and that are in the paging area list, except a
periodical location update, no other location update is performed,
which reduces signaling load of a system.
[0226] FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a second core
network controller according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11,
a core network controller 1100 provided in this embodiment may
specifically implement the steps of the location area management
method that is applied to a core network controller and that is
provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. A specific
implementation process is not described herein again.
[0227] The core network controller 1100 provided in this embodiment
specifically includes: a receiver 61, configured to receive a
second request message sent by a single radio controller, where the
second request message carries a single radio controller identity
used to indicate the single radio controller and a subscriber
identity of a UE; a processor 62, configured to register the UE
according to the single radio controller identity and the
subscriber identity of the UE that are received by the receiver 61;
and a transmitter 63, configured to: after the processor 62
completes registration of the UE, send a second response message to
the single radio controller, so that, according to the second
response message, the single radio controller establishes a
location area hierarchical management context of the UE and
generates a paging area list of the UE.
[0228] Optionally, the transmitter 63 is further configured to send
a first paging message to the single radio controller, where the
first paging message carries the subscriber identity of the UE, so
that the single radio controller determines the paging area list of
the UE according to the subscriber identity of the UE, and sends a
second paging message to a location area recorded in the paging
area list of the UE, where the second paging message carries the
subscriber identity of the UE.
[0229] Optionally, the second request message includes a first NAS
message, the first NAS message carries hierarchical location update
indication information, and the hierarchical location update
indication information is used to indicate that the UE supports the
single radio controller in performing a location update on the
UE.
[0230] The transmitter 62 is configured to: if it is determined,
according to the hierarchical location update indication
information, that the UE supports the single radio controller in
performing a location update on the UE, send the second response
message to the single radio controller, so that the single radio
controller establishes the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE, and generates the paging area list of the
UE.
[0231] The foregoing second response message may be a location area
hierarchical management indication message.
[0232] The core network controller provided in this embodiment
receives a second request message sent by a single radio
controller, where the second request message carries a single radio
controller identity used to indicate the single radio controller
and a subscriber identity of the UE; registers the UE according to
the single radio controller identity and the subscriber identity of
the UE; and sends a second response message to the single radio
controller, so that, according to the second response message, the
single radio controller establishes a location area hierarchical
management context of the UE and generates a paging area list of
the UE, thereby implementing an efficient dynamic paging area with
the UE being a center, and improving a location area management
effect. By means of cooperation between the CC and the single radio
controller, location areas of different network standards are
managed together hierarchically, where the CC is responsible for
registering the UE, and the single radio controller is responsible
for managing an inter-standard location update, for the UE, inside
the single radio controller; therefore, effective collaboration on
an inter-standard location update is implemented. In addition, by
determining whether the location area hierarchical management
context of the UE is stored, the single radio controller determines
whether the UE completes registration with the CC, which can
significantly reduce signaling exchange between the single radio
controller and the CC, so that a delay is reduced.
[0233] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all
or some of the steps of the method embodiments may be implemented
by a program instructing relevant hardware. The program may be
stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program
runs, the steps of the method embodiments are performed. The
foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store
program code, such as a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical
disc.
[0234] Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments
are merely intended for describing the technical solutions of the
present invention, but not for limiting the present invention.
Although the present invention is described in detail with
reference to the foregoing embodiments, persons of ordinary skill
in the art should understand that they may still make modifications
to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments
or make equivalent replacements to some or all technical features
thereof, without departing from the scope of the technical
solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *